Our Island Club is now in its eighth year and during this time it has distributed over $300,000 to local charities. This year alone it gave away $50,000 to over 180 different organizations including the food pantry, hospice, the museum, the shellfish group, schools, churches, arts programs; nearly every corner of the Island benefited.

Our Island Club members soon can enjoy savings when traveling to Cape Cod.

Benefits will be extended through the Cape Cod Community Club, a new Buy Local First program that begins Nov. 17.

Similar to Our Island Club, the program will provide savings on products and services while benefiting local charities. Any locally owned retail store, restaurant or service business can join. It is expected that there will be more than 100 participating businesses by the end of the month.

Our Island Club has established four $1,000 scholarships as part of its annual charitable contribution. In total, more than $25,000 will be distributed to more than 120 Island-based organizations.

“When members join, they direct the club to donate a portion of their membership fee to the charity of their choice,” co-founder Jonathan Bernstein said. “Most members designate a charity. However, several don’t and they have entrusted us to use those funds in a way that we see fit.

It’s not easy to pinch pennies on the Vineyard. We all pay the price for the trouble it takes vendors to get their store shelves stocked and their gas pumps filled on the Island. In the best of times, it’s an inconvenience. In the worst of times, such as now, inflated Island prices can be a threat to survival for merchant and consumer alike.

Our Island Club, the consumer savings program that also raises money for local organizations, has distributed its annual donations, more than $43,000.

Included in the distribution are scholarships to the Vineyard Nursing Association, Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School vocational programs and the Permanent Endowment Fund. It also donated $1,500 to support the SafeRides program. A complete list of the 180-plus organizations is posted on the Web site ourislandclub.com.

Our Island Club, the consumer savings program that also raises money for local organizations, has distributed its annual donations, more than $43,000.

Included in the distribution are scholarships to the Vineyard Nursing Association, Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School vocational programs and the Permanent Endowment Fund. It also donated $1,500 to support the SafeRides program. A complete list of the 180+ organizations is posted on the Web site ourislandclub.com.